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BBB Business Review

This Business is not BBB accredited

Universal Fidelity LP

Additional Locations

Phone: (281) 647-4152 View Additional Phone Numbers 1445 Langham Creek Drive, Houston, TX 77084 View Additional Email Addresses http://www.uflp.com

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BBB Accreditation

This business is not BBB accredited.

Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation.

To be accredited by BBB, a business must apply for accreditation and BBB must determine that the business meets BBB accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints. BBB Accredited Businesses must pay a fee for accreditation review/monitoring and for support of BBB services to the public.

Reason for Rating

BBB rating is based on 16 factors. Get the details about the factors considered.

Factors that lowered the rating for Universal Fidelity LP include:

  • 2845 complaints filed against business
  • Failure to respond to 1 complaint filed against business
  • 1 complaint filed against business that was not resolved
  • Business has failed to resolve underlying cause(s) of a pattern of complaints


Customer Complaints Summary

2845 complaints closed with BBB in last 3 years | 2278 closed in last 12 months
Complaint Type Total Closed Complaints
Advertising/Sales Issues 7
Billing/Collection Issues 2701
Delivery Issues 0
Guarantee/Warranty Issues 0
Problems with Product/Service 137
Total Closed Complaints 2845

Additional Complaint Information

On Feb 2, 2012, The BBB of Houston and South Texas spoke with Scott Hearn of Universal Fidelity and they have provided the following information:

There are roughly 3,000,000 accounts/consumers involving all 50 states that potentially could be contacted via a letter.  There are several collection agencies that have been contracted as 3rd party collectors.  These collectors did not buy the debt but rather are contracted by the Trustee of the Agreed Order.
 
The Third Party Collectors should not be reporting any consumer to the credit reporting agencies for late fees associated with Hollywood Video.  The Order states that the Collector’s can only collect on late fees.  They are not allowed to collect for unreturned videos or add any additional collection fees.  
 
If the account had both late fees and unreturned product fees for the same account, then the collection would be for the lesser of the two charges for the rental item.

On Jan 24, 2012 notified Universal Fidelity that The BBB  of Houston and South Texas was receiving a pattern of complaint activity regarding unpaid fees.  BBB complainants allege that the letter they are receiving from Universal Fidelity states they are “the Legal Successor to Hollywood Video” and consumers are to pay the fees owed with no description of the charges.  The letter also alleges that “Unless you notify this office within 30 days after receiving your initial notice that you dispute the validity of the debt or any portion thereof, this office will assume this debt is valid.”  All complainants mentioned they did not owe any money to Universal Fidelity or Hollywood Video. 

UPDATE:  Consumers have recently alleged in complaints that they are told that non payment would affect thier credit rating. Universal Fidelity, in responses to complaints indicate that they do not report non payment of this debt to any credit reporting agency, as according to the Agreed Order, 
    "The Third Party Collectors should not be reporting any consumer to the credit reporting agencies for late fees associated with Hollywood Video"

Read Complaints | Definitions | BBB Complaint Process | File a Complaint against Universal Fidelity LP

Additional Information

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BBB file opened: June 01, 1994 Business started: 02/04/1991 in TX Business started locally: 02/01/1991 Business incorporated: 01/01/2004 in TX
Licensing

This business is in an industry that may require professional licensing, bonding or registration. BBB encourages you to check with the appropriate agency to be certain any requirements are currently being met.

These agencies may include:

Texas Secretary of State
1019 Brazos Street, PO Box 13697, Austin TX 78711-3697
http://www.sos.state.tx.us
Fax Number: 512-463-5709

Type of Entity

Limited Partnership (LP)

Business Management
Mr. Nancy Rodriquez, Legal Assistant Mr. Tom H Tseng, General Counsel
Contact Information
Principal: Linda Carlisle
Business Category

COLLECTION AGENCIES

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COLLECTION AGENCIES
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